Gauge and guide implement



Aug. 21, 1956 E, K 2,759,268

GAUGE AND GUIDE IMPLEMENT Filed May 19. 1953 INVENTOR /44/5 5 COOK,

E a-4w ATTORNEY 2,759,268 GAUGE AND GUIDE IMPLEMENT Allie E. Cook, Lubbock, Tex. Application May 19, 1953, Serial No. 356,001 3 Claims. c1. 33-168) The present invention relates to an instrument in the form of a guage for measuring the distance between opposed surfaces and more specifically pertains to a guide for maintaining a uniform space between a wall and a strip employed for the purpose of attaching carpet theretO.

It is a practice in covering floors with carpet to employ a strip having prongs projecting upwardly therefrom so that the marginal edge portions of the carpet may be anchored along the walls. One embodiment of such a strip type carpet fastener is disclosed in the patent to Roberts 2,238,946. When the carpet is laid in a wall to wall manner such a strip with prongs thereon is arranged along each wall and secured to the floor. The prongs penetrate the carpet from below and prevent the boundary portions of the carpet from moving away from the respective Walls. It is advantageous and desirable to space the outer edges of the carpet fastening strip from the wall so that the marginal edge of the carpet may be turned downwardly into such a space.

It is an object of the present invention to povide an implement adapted to serve as a measuring device and so constructed as to function as a guide for maintaining a uniform space between the outer edge of the carpet anchoring strip and a wall to facilitate positioning of the strip as it is attached to the floor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a measuring device which lies on the floor in an operable position thereof so that it may be moved therealong as the carpet anchoring strip is being placed in position and secured to the floor.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a space measuring instrument wherein the effective thickness of the gauge may be altered by readily transferring spacer elements from one position on the device to another position including a structural arrangement wherein the spacer elements may be readily stored in an inactive position on the instrument.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent as the present disclosure proceeds and upon consideration of the accompanying drawing and the following detailed description wherein an exemplary embodiment of the invention is disclosed.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a perspective view showing an implement exhibiting the invention and illustrating the manner in which it is used.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view partly in section.

Fig. 3 is an end view of one of the spacer elements.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing there is shown at 11 a carpet fastening strip having a plurality of prongs 12 projecting upwardly therefrom. It is advantageous in laying carpet to have the outer edge of the strip 11 spaced from a wall 14 as shown at 16. The width of the space 16 varies with the thickness of the carpet since it is desirable to have the edge of the carpet extend downwardly into the space 16. In laying any particular carpet 7 it is desirable for the space 16 to have a uniform wldth throughout the perimeter of the room.

United States Patent of the instrument.

2,759,268 Patented Aug. 21, 1956 "ice An implement for maintaining the space 16 of uniform width while the strip 11 is being secured to the floor includes a triangular shaped plate 17 which is rigidly attached to one end of a rod 18. The plate 17 is thus prevented from rotation relative to the rod 18 and prevented from moving axially thereon. The connection between the plate 17 and the rod 18 may he made by welding at 19. Another triangular shaped plate member 21 is rigidly attached to the rod 18 and spaced from the plate member 17 so that the carpet anchoring strip 11 may be readily accommodated between the triangular plate members. The plate member 21 may be attached to the rod 18 by welding as represented at 22. The plate members 17 and 21 are oriented on the rod 18 so that their lower edges 23 and 24 are in alignment. The plate members 17 and 21 are of the same triangular dimensions so that when the lower edges of the plate members rest on the floor 26 the rod 18 is supported in a horizontal position. A handle 27 which may be formed of any suitable material is mounted on the rod 18 beyond the plate member 21. The handle 27 may be secured in position by means of a nut 29 engaging threads at the end of the rod 18.

A plurality of triangular shaped spacer elements 31 are employed for adjusting the thickness of the gauge portion Each spacer element 31 is of triangular shape as shown in Fig. 3 and provided with an opening 32 for accommodating the rod 18. The spacer elements 31 each have a triangular shape similar to that of the plate members 17 and 21. The plate member 17 is provided with a bolt 34 which projects from the inner face thereof. The bolt 34 is securely fixed to the plate member 17 in any suitable manner such as by welding at 36. A similar bolt 37 is secured to the plate member 21 and projects in a direction opposite to the bolt 34 and in alignment therewith. The bolt 37 is rigidly attached to the plate member 21 in any suitable manner such as by welding at 38. Each spacer element 31 is provided with an aperture 41 as shown in Fig. 3 for receiving either the bolt 34 or the bolt 37.

The spacer elements 31 in one embodiment have a thickness of one-sixteenth of an inch and the plate member 17 has a thickness of about one-eighth of an inch. Thus when two of the spacer elements 31 are in a position adjacent the plate 17 as shown in Fig. 2 the effective or guide portion of the implement has a thickness of onefourth of an inch. The spacer elements may be maintained in association with the plate 17 by means of a nut 42 threaded on the bolt 34. The unused or inactive spacer elements are maintained adjacent and in association with the plate member 21 by means of a nut 44 threaded on the bolt 37. The spacer elements 31 are freely slidable on the rod 18 as shown by the intermediate spacer element 31 in Fig. 2 and the apertures 41 are so disposed as to fit over either the bolt 34 or the bolt 37. It will be observed that the base edge 46 of the triangular shaped spacer elements 31 lie along the floor 26 in both the active and inactive positions and assist in maintaining the instrument in a horizontal position.

The implement with one or more spacer elements 31 in fixed association with the plate member 17 may be used as a gauge for fixing the distance between the edge 10 of the carpet fastening strip 11 and the wall 14. The implement may be moved along the floor 26 and nails 48 or other securing means may then be driven home to secure the strip 11 to the floor in proper and uniform spaced relation with respect to the adjacent wall. One of the implements may be used as a guide and two of the 0 devices may be employed along the carpet strip 11 to locate the strip 11 in proper position prior to anchoring it to the floor. The lower edges 23 and 24 of the two 3 plate members 17 and 21 facilitate sliding of the instrument along the floor. When the floor covering or the carpet has a thickness requiring a space greater than that illustrated at 16 in the drawing additional spacer elemen't's 31 may be moved to the right in Fig. 2 and secured in association with the plate member 17.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific structural details it will be appreciated that changes may be made in the shape of the plates and elemerits and the means for attaching the spacer elements to the plates. Su'ch modifications and others may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A guide implement for spacing an edge of an elon= gated strip from a vertical surface as the strip is being applied to a floor comprising, a plate member having a base edge adapted to engage the floor between the vertical snr face and 'an edge of the elongated strip, said plate member having a face above the base edge for engaging said vertical surface, a second face on said plate member above the base edge parallel to the first face and adapted to be engaged by an edge of said elongated strip, a second member spaced from said plate member having a base edge adapted to engage the floor beyond the other edge of said elongated strip, a rod extending from the second face of the plate member at a point so that a lower periphery of the rod is positioned above an upper surface of the elongated strip, means connecting the rod to said second member, a spacer element having an opening therethrough receiving said rod, opposite parallel faces on said spacer element, means detachably securing one face of said spacer element in engagement with the second face of the plate member, and a base edge on the spacer element in substantial alignment with the base edge of the plate member.

2. A guide implement for spacing an edge of an elongated strip from a wall as the strip is being applied to a floor comprising, a plate member having a base edge adapted to engage the floor between the wall and an edge of the elongated strip, said plate member having a face above the base edge for engaging said wall, a second face on said plate member above the base edge parallel to the first face and adapted to be engaged by an edge of said elongated strip, a second plate member spaced from said plate member having a base edge adapted to engage the floor beyond the other edge of said elongated strip, a rod extending from the first plate member and spaced above an upper surface of the elongated strip, means connecting the rod to the second plate member, a plurality of spacer elements slidable on said rod, each spacer element having parallel opposite faces and a base edge in substantial horizontal alignment with the base edge of the first plate member, and means for detachably securing the spacer elements to either plate member.

3. A guide implement according to claim 2 wherein the first and second plate members are of triangular shape and wherein each spacer element is of similar triangular shape.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 367,365 Clifford Aug. 2, 1887 1,472,837 Hoke a- Nov. 6, 1923 2,599,500 Tinker June 3, 1952 2,642,668 Dorel s June 23, 1953 

